Intent
Our history curriculum at Court Farm Primary School is shaped to provide children with a coherent and chronological knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which enables them to develop their substantive and disciplinary knowledge, concepts and skills. We used historical enquiries to inspire children’s curiosity to explore the past and the influence it has on the present and future. At Court Farm, we nurture independent, confident and aspirational learners who enjoy history, not only in the classroom but also throughout experiences outside of the classroom.
Implementation
At Court Farm Primary School, history is taught in a half termly block using the Grammarsaurus programme of study. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, history learning is developed within the ‘Understanding of the World’ Development Matters strand. In Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, history is taught focusing on the knowledge and skills given from the National Curriculum.
In Key Stage One, children will be taught:
- changes within living memory.
- events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally.
- the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
- significant historical events, people and places within their own locality.
In KS2
Pupils Should be taught | In which year group at our school |
changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age | Year 3 |
the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain | Year 3 |
· Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots
| Year 4 |
the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor | Year 4 |
a local history study | Year 4 |
the achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of one of the following: Ancient Sumer; The Indus Valley; Ancient Egypt; The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China | Year 4 – Ancient Egypt
Year 5- The Shang Dynasty |
Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world | Year 5 |
a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – one study chosen from: early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900; Mayan civilization c. AD 900; Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300. | Year 6- Mayan Civilization |
a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 | Year 6 |
Our history curriculum supports children to know more and remember more in each area of history studied, there is a structure to the lesson sequence whereby prior learning is always considered and opportunities for revision of facts and historical understanding are built into lessons. We have a specific key vocabulary built into each lesson. This vocabulary is then included in display materials and additional resources to ensure that children are allowed opportunities to repeat and revise this knowledge. Teachers ensure all lessons are inclusive to enable all children to excel progress from their starting points by adapting their planning as necessary.
Impact
The history curriculum at Court Farm Primary School will provide children with a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world by the time they leave in Year 6. Furthermore, it will also ensure that children are equipped with historical skills and knowledge to enable them to thrive in Key Stage three and beyond. As well as this, pupils should leave Court Farm Primary School being able to think critically, ask perceptive questions, weigh up evidence and develop perspective and judgement to make informed choices.
In order to be confident in the impact of History at Court farm, the subject leader will monitor the subject through the following methods:
- Discussion with pupils
- Gathering evidence of written activities
- Monitoring displays
- Ongoing discussion with colleagues
- Learning walks
- Staff questionnaires